To qualify for At Home Program Benefits (AHP) a child must be:
As well, in order to qualify for At Home Program medical benefits a child must also be enrolled with the BC Medical Services Plan. Children who require direct nursing care through Nursing Support Services are eligible for At Home Program medical benefits. An At Home Program assessment is not required. Children who have a palliative condition qualify for full At Home Program benefits. An assessment is not required. Children with Indian Status who are also eligible for the At Home Program, may receive the AHP benefits not duplicated by First Nation and Inuit Health, Government of Canada, or by the Band or Aboriginal Agency. Children or parents who are in receipt of an insurance settlement or court award are not eligible for At Home Program benefits. Eligibility is reassessed on a regular basis.
At Home Program application forms are available by clicking here or from Community Living British Columbia, or your local Health Unit. Completed forms should be returned to the AHP Regional Contact.
The AHP Regional Contact reviews the application and arranges for the child to have an assessment by a qualified assessor. The assessor meets with the parent and child in the family home to complete an assessment of the child's abilities in four areas of daily living: eating, dressing, toileting and washing. The assessor may also contact the child's physician and other health care professionals to review the child's needs and abilities. The assessor provides the parent with a copy of the completed assessment.
A regional eligibility committee reviews the application and assessment and makes an eligibility decision. Children who are dependent in four out of four areas of daily living are eligible for both respite and medical benefits. Children who are dependent in three out of four areas of daily living are eligible for either respite or medical benefits. Children are considered dependent when they require a great deal more assistance with every day tasks than other children of the same age. For example, a child who is unable to finger feed at age three is considered dependent in eating. Parents receive a letter notifying them of the eligibility decision. If a child is not eligible for the At Home Program, parents may be referred to other supports and services.
AHP Regional Contacts coordinate the eligibility process and initiate benefits. Families whose children are eligible for AHP qualify for services from Community Living British Columbia.
If parents disagree with eligibility decisions or feel they've been treated unfairly, they can make a complaint or appeal. Information about AHP appeals and the Complaint Resolution Process is available from Community Living British Columbia. Parents who disagree with medical benefits decisions should contact the Manager of Medical Benefits, Ministry of Children and Family Development for information about appeals.
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